{
  "id": 12374544,
  "title": "Hackers suspected of using AI agents for cyberattacks on South Korean banks, exposing data from about 25,000 customers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/hackers-suspected-of-using-ai-agents-for-cyberattacks-on-south-korean",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-06T12:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cyber-security/hackers-suspected-of-using-ai-agents-for-cyberattacks-on-south-korean-banks-exposing-data-from-about-25-000-customers-officials-believe-ai-models-enable-actors-to-hack-with-ease-even-without-specialized-skills"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korean authorities are investigating cyberattacks utilizing AI agents on major banks, including Hana Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, and Shinhan Bank. Reports indicate that at least 25,000 Shinhan Bank customers had their personal credit information leaked, while 99 customers and 20 employees from Kookmin Bank were affected. Ninety-nine customers of Hana Bank also had their information stolen. President Lee Jae Myung stated that signs pointed to AI models being used by the hackers, causing concern among the public. The president instructed his cabinet to confirm the situation and minimize the damage caused by these incidents. AI models are becoming increasingly powerful, and malicious actors are leveraging them to identify vulnerabilities in secure systems and exploit them. A cybersecurity firm reported the first AI-orchestrated cyberattack in November 2025, allegedly carried out by a Chinese state-sponsored group. The breach of OpenAI by security researchers is another example of AI-powered hacks targeting AI labs. Although AI agents can unintentionally cause cyberattacks, safeguards are being implemented by leading AI labs to prevent misuse. However, some hackers exploit AI models' hallucinations, tricking them into running malware. Open-weight and open-source models are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of guardrails, making it easier for hackers to exploit them. While AI models have not yet replaced skilled attackers, they have made planning, reconnaissance, and attack execution more accessible, potentially serving as a force multiplier for cybercriminals.",
  "summary": "South Korean president Lee Jae Myung told his cabinet that there were signs that hackers used AI to execute the attacks on the banks.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean banks, including Hana, KB Kookmin, and Shinhan, targeted in AI-assisted cyberattacks",
    "25,000 Shinhan Bank customers' credit info leaked in the attacks",
    "President Lee Jae Myung directs cabinet to address AI cyberattack damage"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}